Ten incredible photos taken from the International Space Station

Date:27 November 2019 Author: Leila Stein Tags:,

The International Space Station orbits Earth with scientists and astronauts aboard conducting experiments and repairs to the Station. According to the European Space Agency (ESA) it takes the Station 90 minutes to complete an orbit, meaning the crew experiences 16 sunrises and sunsets each day. With such spectacular views just outside their window, it is no surprise those on board have taken some incredible photographs. Here are just a few:

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Middle school children programmed a space station camera to photograph this portion of the Sahara desert seen in western Libya. Look Ma, I’m taking pictures from space! The Sally Ride EarthKAM program allows students to request photographs of specific Earth features, which are taken by a special camera mounted on the International Space Station when it passes over those features. The images are posted online for the public and students in participating classrooms around the world to view. Since 1996, more than 24,000 photos have been taken during 30 missions on the space station via this program, the only one that gives students such direct control of an instrument on a spacecraft orbiting Earth. Credit: Sally Ride EarthKAM #education #NASA #space #spacestation #Sahara #Libya #Earth #EarthArt

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A soccer ball originally packed onto space shuttle Challenger in 1986 is now orbiting the Earth on board the International Space Station, 31 years later. The soccer ball was signed and presented to NASA astronaut Ellison Onizuka by soccer players — including his daughter — from Clear Lake High School, near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Onizuka was one of seven astronauts on board Challenger on Jan. 28, 1986, when it exploded shortly after liftoff. Following the accident, the ball was recovered and returned to the high school, where it has been on display for the past three decades. Its history had begun to fade into obscurity when Principal Karen Engle learned of its origin. Soon after, astronaut Shane Kimbrough, whose son attends Clear Lake High School, offered to carry up a memento on the school's behalf, and she had the idea to send the soccer ball into space. Kimbrough snapped this photo of the ball floating in front of the station's Cupola window in advance of Challenger anniversary and NASA's Day of Remembrance. #nasa #soccer #challenger #space #outofthisworld

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Last week, 3 new crew members launched to the International Space Station (@iss) and @astro_chrstina captured this incredible image. She posted it saying, "What it looks like from space station when your best friend achieves her lifelong dream to go to space. Caught the second stage in progress! We can’t wait to welcome you onboard, crew of Soyuz 61!" From aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 60 astronaut Christina Koch photographed the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft ascending into space after its launch from Kazakhstan on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. After a four-orbit, six-hour journey, the Soyuz docked to the Space Station with NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates joining the crew. #nasa #explore #space #spacestation #astronaut #photo #photography #launch

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